ROYALS MANSIONMonica adjusted her blazer in front of the full-length mirror, her polished heels clicking against the marble floor as she paced the room. The quiet hum of the central air conditioning was the only sound as the grand clock on the wall ticked steadily. Her handbag rested on the arm of the plush leather couch, ready for the day ahead.She took a final look around the living room, the modern decor gleaming under the soft glow of the crystal chandelier. Everything about the Royals Mansion screamed wealth and status, from the white marble floors to the floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline.With a deep breath, she grabbed her bag and turned toward her husband, Robert, who sat leisurely on the couch. A steaming cup of coffee rested on the glass table in front of him, untouched, as he scrolled through his tablet with a calm demeanor."I'm heading out now," she said, her voice carrying a hint of nervous energy. “Wish me luck for today.”R
LUCAS’S MANSION: LIVING ROOMLeila sat in the middle of the plush leather couch, her eyes fixed on the large flat-screen TV mounted on the wall. The headlines flashed in bold letters: ROYALS ARRESTED FOR MULTIPLE CRIMES. The images accompanying the news showed Monica and Robert Royal being led out of their mansion in handcuffs. Their faces, once filled with arrogance and power, were now masks of shock and humiliation.Leila’s face was unreadable, her expression cold and distant. Her hands rested on her lap, fingers loosely intertwined, but her knuckles were slightly white from the pressure she didn’t realize she was applying. The faint hum of the air conditioning filled the silent room, but her mind was elsewhere, consumed by the events unfolding before her.She had expected this moment for a long time, and now that it was here, it brought her no joy. The Royals were getting what they deserved, but she knew this was just the beginning. The evidence leaked online was only a fraction of
Vanessa’s OfficeVanessa sat at her sleek glass desk, her fingers tapping softly against the keyboard of her laptop. The hum of the air conditioning filled the room, blending with the faint rustle of papers on her desk. The muted city sounds filtered through the large floor-to-ceiling windows behind her, casting long shadows across her pristine office. Despite the calm around her, Vanessa’s mind was anything but at ease.A sharp knock broke through the quiet. She paused, lifting her head as her dark eyes flickered toward the door.“Come in,” she called, her voice steady.The door creaked open, and Lily stepped inside, her beige blazer slightly wrinkled as if she had rushed up the stairs. Her usually bright demeanor was replaced by something more subdued, her expression careful.“What is it? Any news?” Vanessa asked, her voice clipped and to the point. She leaned back in her chair, folding her arms across her chest as she studied her assistant’s face.“Yes,” Lily said, hesitating for a
Vanessa was sitting on the couch in the living room as she waited for her husband to arrive from work. He had always liked coming home late but today's own was getting out of hand. She was fidgeting with the hem of her dress. She was getting really worried it was already 11:30, almost midnight.She had already prepared his dinner even though she knew that he might not eat the food she prepared. Vanessa had no trouble performing her wifely duties and she always did it with so much Enthusiasm. She came back from her place of work earlier in the evening but she hasn't rested since then, she had prepared dinner and now she was waiting for her husband to return. She loved him dearly and always wished that he could feel the same way towards her, but his actions everyday tells her that he doesn't feel the same way. Still, she wasn't giving up.She had met Riccardo during her college days, for her it was love at first sight. She once confessed her feelings to him during college but he had tu
The continuous knocking on the door got Vanessa's eyes fluttering open. She realized that she was still inside the bathtub, she was already shivering, before she could stand up from the bathtub, Riccardo's pushed the door open and walked in. When he saw her state he scoffed, he was already dressed up for work, he wore a black suit and pants with a white shirt tucked in, with two buttons left undone, revealing his tanned chest. Riccardo always liked leaving two of his shirt buttons opened, he only wears tie during special occasions. Vanessa couldn't help but notice that he looked extremely hot this morning. "What are you doing there?" He asked, his voice cold as usual. "I suddenly fell asleep last night" Vanessa replied as she stood up from the bathtub, grabbed a towel and wrapped it around herself. She was shivering a little. She watched as Riccardo took off his jacket and covered her with it. She smiled at his kind gesture. "Today is our third Marriage anniversary" Riccardo said.
”And what the hell do you think it is?" His cold voice sent shivers down her spine. She stared at him shocked. She threw the divorce papers on the table, before facing Riccardo. "Why? Why can't you just reciprocate my feelings? Was loving you all these years a crime!?" Vanessa asked as she stood before her husband Riccardo, her heart clenching in hurt. "After all these years, is this what you repay me with?" She asked staring down at the divorce papers on the table, her eyes burning with unshed tears. She didn't want to cry in front of him, but the continuous pain she felt in her chest made her want to just run away and cry her eyes out. Riccardo didn't reply, he brought out an envelope and handed it over to her. Vanessa's heart pounded loudly in her chest as she tore the seal of the envelope. Her heart literally stopped beating as she saw the content on the envelope. "Riccardo..." "You don't need to say anything, the picture says it all" Riccardo waved his hands in front of her fa
But she quickly wiped them off and returned to her bed. She picked up her phone from the nightstand and dialed a number, the person picked up after the third ring. "Hello Mom" Vanessa said. There was silence before her mom finally replied. "You finally decided to call?" Her voice sounded from the other end. "I'm sorry for not calling all these while. How are you and dad doing?" She asked slowly. "We're fine, but you don't sound fine to me. What's wrong?" Her mom asked. "Nothing Mom, I'm just tired" She lied. "Are you sure?" "Yes, I am." "When are you coming to visit us? It's been ages" "Tomorrow" she replied "Okay, I'll send my PA to pick you up at the Airport" "Thank you" "It's nothing, take care of yourself" with that being said, she disconnected the call. Vanessa brought down her phone from her ear and sighed. She quickly booked the earliest flight to Madrid, Spain. After, she was done, she laid on her bed and soon, she drifted off to sleep. The next morning, Van
I stepped into my room after a long day at work, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle over me. As I walked further inside, an unsettling feeling of emptiness hung in the air. Something felt off, like a puzzle piece missing from its place. I headed to the closet, my heart pounding slightly, and opened the door. My eyes scanned the space, and I realized with a jolt that all of Vanessa's clothes were gone. All that remained was a single dress hanging there, a stark reminder of her absence.With a sense of dread, I moved to the bathroom. The matching couple toothbrushes and towels were missing, leaving bare hooks and an empty holder. Even the scented candles that used to sit on the nightstand, filling the room with a comforting aroma, had vanished. "I guess she finally left," I muttered to myself, feeling a mix of relief and sadness.My eyes were drawn to a stack of papers on the nightstand. Picking them up, I saw it was the divorce agreement, Vanessa's signature already in place. I
Vanessa’s OfficeVanessa sat at her sleek glass desk, her fingers tapping softly against the keyboard of her laptop. The hum of the air conditioning filled the room, blending with the faint rustle of papers on her desk. The muted city sounds filtered through the large floor-to-ceiling windows behind her, casting long shadows across her pristine office. Despite the calm around her, Vanessa’s mind was anything but at ease.A sharp knock broke through the quiet. She paused, lifting her head as her dark eyes flickered toward the door.“Come in,” she called, her voice steady.The door creaked open, and Lily stepped inside, her beige blazer slightly wrinkled as if she had rushed up the stairs. Her usually bright demeanor was replaced by something more subdued, her expression careful.“What is it? Any news?” Vanessa asked, her voice clipped and to the point. She leaned back in her chair, folding her arms across her chest as she studied her assistant’s face.“Yes,” Lily said, hesitating for a
LUCAS’S MANSION: LIVING ROOMLeila sat in the middle of the plush leather couch, her eyes fixed on the large flat-screen TV mounted on the wall. The headlines flashed in bold letters: ROYALS ARRESTED FOR MULTIPLE CRIMES. The images accompanying the news showed Monica and Robert Royal being led out of their mansion in handcuffs. Their faces, once filled with arrogance and power, were now masks of shock and humiliation.Leila’s face was unreadable, her expression cold and distant. Her hands rested on her lap, fingers loosely intertwined, but her knuckles were slightly white from the pressure she didn’t realize she was applying. The faint hum of the air conditioning filled the silent room, but her mind was elsewhere, consumed by the events unfolding before her.She had expected this moment for a long time, and now that it was here, it brought her no joy. The Royals were getting what they deserved, but she knew this was just the beginning. The evidence leaked online was only a fraction of
ROYALS MANSIONMonica adjusted her blazer in front of the full-length mirror, her polished heels clicking against the marble floor as she paced the room. The quiet hum of the central air conditioning was the only sound as the grand clock on the wall ticked steadily. Her handbag rested on the arm of the plush leather couch, ready for the day ahead.She took a final look around the living room, the modern decor gleaming under the soft glow of the crystal chandelier. Everything about the Royals Mansion screamed wealth and status, from the white marble floors to the floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline.With a deep breath, she grabbed her bag and turned toward her husband, Robert, who sat leisurely on the couch. A steaming cup of coffee rested on the glass table in front of him, untouched, as he scrolled through his tablet with a calm demeanor."I'm heading out now," she said, her voice carrying a hint of nervous energy. “Wish me luck for today.”R
VANESSA'S OFFICE : NINE A.MVanessa paced the length of her office, her heels clicking against the polished marble floor as she held her phone to her ear. Her reflection in the large window showed her furrowed brow and the way her fingers tugged at the hem of her blazer.“Lily, make sure everything is set up. I don’t want any surprises at this press conference,” Vanessa said sharply, the tension in her voice was unmistakable.“Understood, Ms. Rodriguez,” Lily replied on the other end of the line. “The venue is ready, and the media has been briefed. You just need to arrive.”Vanessa let out a breath, nodding to herself. “Good. Thank you.” She ended the call and set the phone down on her desk.Emily, who had been sitting on the couch, looked up from her phone. “You okay?”Vanessa paused, her hands resting on the back of her chair. “Not really. This press conference could make or break the company. If I don’t handle this right, we’re done for.”Emily stood and walked over, her confidence
NEXT MORNINGThe shrill ringing of Vanessa’s phone jolted her awake. She groaned softly, rubbing her eyes as she tried to push herself up from the warm cocoon of her bed. Squinting at the screen, she noticed three missed calls from Lily.A quick glance at the clock on her nightstand confirmed it was just six a.m.“Why is Lily calling me so early?” she muttered, her voice heavy with sleep.She sat on the edge of her bed, her bare feet brushing against the cool tiled floor, and dialed Lily back. The phone barely rang twice before Lily picked up.“Good morning, Ms. Rodriguez,” Lily greeted, though her voice lacked its usual cheerfulness.“Morning, Lily. What’s wrong?” Vanessa asked, a knot of worry tightening in her stomach.“Ms. Rodriguez, you need to check the trending news,” Lily said, her tone sounding more serious than usual.Vanessa frowned. “What news?” She asked calmly, trying to braze herself for whatever Lily had to say.“It’s all over the internet. I think it’s better you see
FEW MINUTES LATERVanessa grabbed her bag and cast one last glance at Riccardo. His face was unreadable, his dark eyes steady as he stood by the doorway."I'm leaving," she said, adjusting her bag on her shoulder."I’ll come back to pick Emily later," she added firmly."Sure," Riccardo replied, his voice calm and steady. "Stay safe."Vanessa gave a small nod, muttered, “I will,” and headed out the door.Outside, the cool evening air greeted her. Diego stood near the car, his posture straight as ever. The moment he saw her, he moved quickly to open the car door."Thank you," she said, stepping inside. The faint scent of leather filled the air as she settled into her seat.Diego climbed into the driver’s seat and glanced at her in the rearview mirror. "Where’s Emily?" he asked."She’s staying at Riccardo’s for now. I’ll pick her up later," Vanessa replied, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as she looked out the window.Diego nodded silently. After a moment, he asked, “Where to?”
Vanessa pushed open the door to the guest room. The bright overhead bulb illuminated the space, making the white walls appear even more pristine. She expected to see Emily fast asleep, curled up under the neatly folded comforter. Instead, Emily sat cross-legged on the bed, her phone in her hands, scrolling leisurely.Vanessa paused in the doorway, tilting her head. “Why did you say you needed a nap if you’re not even sleeping?”Emily looked up, a playful smile on her lips. “I realized you both needed to talk. So, I gave you privacy.”Vanessa blinked, taken aback by the bluntness of her response. She stepped further into the room, closing the door gently behind her. “Wow,” she said after a moment. “That’s... unexpected.”Emily shrugged, setting her phone aside. “It wasn’t a big deal. You both looked like you had things to say.”Vanessa sat down at the edge of the bed, her movements slow as she processed Emily’s words. “Well, thank you. That was thoughtful of you.”“No problem.” Emily’s
Vanessa glanced around the house as Riccardo led Emily toward the living room. She had only been here once before, and that was under far different circumstances, desperate and frantic, begging him to help find her missing kids and Emily. The house still felt foreign, despite its warm lighting and elegant decor. The scent of polished wood and faint cologne lingered in the air, a reminder of Riccardo’s presence everywhere.She followed them into the spacious living room. The walls were lined with tall bookshelves, the shelves neatly filled, and a large painting hung above the stone fireplace. Vanessa took a hesitant seat on the soft gray couch, her posture stiff. Emily, on the other hand, settled in comfortably, running her fingers over the plush throw pillows.“Ms. Rodriguez, this house is so beautiful,” Emily said, turning her head to glance at Vanessa with wide, admiring eyes.“Yes, it is,” Vanessa replied simply, her gaze briefly flickering to Riccardo, who was pouring tea from a s
Two hours later, Vanessa leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples as she glanced at the time on her laptop screen. It had been a long day, and the weight of it was beginning to settle in. She was just about to shut her laptop when a soft knock came at her door."Ms. Rodriguez, are you done for today?" Emily’s voice came through as she peeked in.Vanessa glanced up with a small smile. "Yes, dear. I’m just about to wrap up."Before she could finish, the door opened wider, and Lily walked in with Emily now standing beside her, both carrying the faint energy of people eager to leave for the day. Vanessa clicked her laptop shut and rose from her swivel chair, picking up her jacket from the back of it. She took a moment to stretch, rolling her shoulders as she approached them.But as she moved, her mind drifted back to Riccardo. She’d been curt with him earlier, perhaps too curt. A twinge of guilt poked at her chest.Was I too harsh? she wondered. He had helped her find her children, a